These outdoor mat feature the colourful artwork of Charlie Wicking and Billyara. These outdoor mats feature beautiful artworks by these Aboriginal artists. The mats are fade resistant and can be easily washed off for easy cleaning. They are made from 100% recycled plastic. These outdoor mats will slip on hard flooring, so we recommend to use one of our non-slip mats (which will need to be cut to size and are sold separately). The rectangular outdoor mat measures 180cm x 300cm, and the two circular outdoor mats measure 180cm in diameter. Kit includes the following outdoor mats; Welcome to Country by Billyara (BW09), Clown Fish by Charlie Wicking (BW08) and Three Rivers by Billyara (BW01), however contents may vary. Please see the kit components tab for more information.
Billyara is a respected artist from the Wiradjuri tribe. The name Billyara comes from the artist's totem, an eagle, which stems from his connection with the land. He has been painting Aboriginal art for over 20 years and teaches these traditions to younger generations. His artwork is a mix of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art with a Western influence. He has exhibited extensively, and has sold his paintings internationally. Through a relationship with Modern Teaching Aids, Billyara hopes to introduce contemporary Aboriginal art to young children in fun and engaging ways.
Charlie Wicking has been painting approximately since 1999. Charlie is inspired daily by her natural environment, particularly the sea, and this is reflected in her artworks. She loves the area that she lives in, the wonder of the rainforests, the beauty of the sea and the harshness of the earth when nature is at its hottest. Charlie has a colourful and vibrant style and is a talented artist. Charlie Wicking’s real name is Charmaine Marree Baggow and she was born in Mackay, Queensland. The Traditional Custodians of the land here and surrounding districts is the Yuibera, Barada Barna and Widi Tribes. She is a descendant of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander people of that area. Her South Sea Islander family came from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Charlie values her Ancestral past and she acknowledges her descendants proudly. “We have to protect the land and sea where we live and play, once it's gone, it's gone. You can't eat or drink money. If we protect country, country will protect and provide for us. ”
Our range of global and multicultural resources help to support children’s learning about their communities, as well as the world in general. These resources aid in the promotion of understanding and acceptance of different cultures, beliefs, languages, families, appearances and lifestyles. As children gain an understanding of their community, they also gain an understanding of themselves. This develops confidence and a sense of identity. Incorporating multicultural resources into play is a great way to introduce these concepts in fun and unobtrusive ways.
We love creating products that allow Indigenous communities and artists to communicate their culture through their art and in turn allowing children to develop awareness and understanding of the significance of cultural heritage in their world. If you are an Indigenous artist and would like to work with MTA to also develop culturally sensitive and appropriate education resources, please contact info@teaching. com. au.
As per all items left outside this item may heat up in direct sunlight or in hot weather. This item is fade resistant but not fade proof. Repeated exposure to direct sunlight may result in some colour fading. We recommend to use this items in shade or filtered light and for best results do not leave in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
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